There have been a number of 18-inch torpedoes in service with the United Kingdom.

These have been used on ships of the Royal Navy and aircraft of both the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Air Force, while Royal Navy surface ships and submarines use 21-inch torpedoes.

The British "18-inch" torpedoes were 17.72 inches (45.0 cm) in diameter, beginning with the "Fiume" Whitehead torpedo of 1890.

45 cm "Fiume" (Whitehead) torpedo

Main article: Whitehead torpedo

First introduced into British service in 1894.[1]

Mark V

Used on the River-class and 1905 Tribal-class destroyers.

Mark VI

Used on destroyers of the early 1900s.

Mark VII and VII*

Introduced on the 1908 members of the 1905 Tribal class destroyers. Used by torpedo boats built before the First World War and destroyers. Used by RAF flying boats in the 1920s.

Mark VIII

Mark XI

Mark XII

18-inch Mark XII
A Mark XII torpedo fitted to a Bristol Beaufighter
TypeTorpedo
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1937-1945
Production history
Designed1935
Specifications
Mass1,548 lb (702 kg)
Length16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
Diameter17.72 in (450 mm)

WarheadTNT
Warhead weight388 lb (176 kg)

EngineBurner cycle
140 hp (at 40 knots)
Maximum speed 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) for 1,500 yd (1,400 m) or
37 knots (69 km/h; 43 mph) for 3,500 yd (3,200 m)

Aircraft launched, used by Fleet Air Arm and RAF Coastal Command.

Mark XIV

18-inch Mark XIV
TypeTorpedo
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Production history
Designedaround 1938
Specifications
Mass1,630 lb (740 kg)
Diameter17.72 in (450 mm)

WarheadTNT
Warhead weight375 lb (170 kg)

EngineWhitehead wet heater (methyl fuel)
Maximum speed 45 knots (83 km/h; 52 mph) for 1,650 yd (1,510 m) or 41 knots (76 km/h; 47 mph) for 2,950 yd (2,700 m)

The Mark XIV was an aircraft-launched torpedo. Stocks were lost with the fall of Singapore.

Mark XV

18-inch Mark XV
TypeTorpedo
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Production history
Designedaround 1942
Specifications
Mass1,801 lb (817 kg)
Diameter17.69 in (449 mm)

WarheadTNT
Warhead weight545 lb (247 kg)

EngineWhitehead wet heater (methyl fuel)
Maximum speed 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) for 2,500 yd (2,300 m) or 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph) for 3,200 yd (2,900 m)

Mark XVI

Electric torpedo project not completed.

Mark XVII

Mark 30

Main article: 18" Mark 30 torpedo

Mk 30 Torpedo

An air-dropped passive acoustic homing torpedo known as "Dealer" and "Dealer B".[3]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d "British Torpedoes Pre-World War II". navweaps.com. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
  2. ^ Campbell, John (2002). Naval Weapons of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. p. 87. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
  3. ^ "British Torpedoes after World War II". navweaps.com. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
  4. ^ "Mk 30 Torpedo". saairforce.co.za. Retrieved 7 July 2010.

References